#1
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Vocals in a mix, setting levels question
It seems like it varies so much from speaker to speaker. I have a new song, but I can't tell if the vocals are too loud in the mix. Is there a good rule of thumb for this, or is it all about training your ear? Anyone willing to listen and tell me if it's too prominent?
https://mcmakinmusic.com/track/2656604/she-danced
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com Last edited by BoneDigger; 03-07-2021 at 11:29 PM. |
#2
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Sure -- can you throw it up on Soundcloud or Youtube so we can all opine?
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#3
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Thanks! I have added a link to the song in my original post. General comments are very much welcomed, but I am mostly concerned about the way the vocals fit in the mix.
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#4
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Quote:
As far as your linked song I do think the vocal is perhaps a few db 3-5, too loud for the rest of the mix. If your not using a compressor you might try one, start with 2-1 to 4-1 ratio , medium fast attack. If you are using a comp, you might back off the makeup gain a bit .
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Sonoma 14.4 Last edited by KevWind; 03-04-2021 at 02:17 PM. |
#5
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Quote:
I think the vocal's also a tad bright. But your ear seems to like things brighter than mine in general, so that's more of a taste issue. |
#6
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I would agree that the voice is a little hot in the mix.
A great deal of this is due to the other signals. I'm not hearing much in the lower midrange to counter the vocal, and that 'lack of competition' seems to highlight the vocal even more. Did you roll off low mids on the guitars? If so, try rolling off a little less. Mixing often involves using EQ to 'carve out' space for important instruments (like vocals!!!). Sometimes we cut a little too deeply and an instrument ends up isolated.
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#7
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Thanks everyone for listening and for your comments. I am going to back off on the vocals a bit and perhaps add compression. I'll also consider the overall brightness and how the vocals sit in the mix.
For compression, are we talking compression on the vocals only, or the whole song?
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#8
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I have revised the song a bit. I brought the vocals down a bit, added some vocal compression, and tried to integrate things a bit better. Any additional thoughts?
New link in the original post.
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#9
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Yeah, nice. Very smooth, easy on the ear.
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#10
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Quote:
Note that when it comes to mixing, everyone has a particular sound they prefer. Do you use reference mixes?
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Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#11
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I like the song and the vocal a lot. Nicely done. To my ear the vocal might still be a tad bright. However, I've been working on a song where I want the vocal particularly dark so my ear is likely skewed by what I'm doing with my song.
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#12
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I really appreciate the kind feedback. I have now gone back through the song and tried to make it sound a bit more cohesive. Please take a listen and see if this sounds any better? I have updated the link in the original post. Here it is again:
https://mcmakinmusic.com/track/2656604/she-danced
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#13
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Any comments on the newest mix?
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https://www.mcmakinmusic.com |
#14
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I kinda wished all versions were here to listen....would love to have heard the evolution of the recording
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